North Korea, after reporting that it conducted a hydrogen bomb test, came under fire from around the world. The United States of America, its allies and even China expressed strong condemnation of the supposed nuclear test by the communist country.
North Korea’s state-run TV announced that the country successfully performed its first hydrogen bomb test at 10:00 am on January 6, 2016.
US Secretary of State John Kerry made a press statement in Washington DC, expressing condemnation of the nuclear test.
“The United States and nations around the world
have unequivocally condemned North Korea’s latest nuclear test.” – Secretary Kerry
He underscored that North Korea’s highly provocative act poses a grave threat to international peace and security and blatantly violates multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions.
US, Allies Do Not Accept North Korea as Nuclear Armed State
Secretary Kerry said the U.S. is committed to defending the American people and honoring security commitments to its allies in the region.
He pointed out that US and its allies in the region do not and will not accept North Korea as a nuclear armed state, and actions such as the latest test only strengthen the resolve against North Korea’s actions.
“We will continue to work closely with our partners on the U.N. Security Council and in the Six-Party Talks to take appropriate action.” – Secretary Kerry
Secretary Kerry also called on North Korea to end its provocations and choose a better path.
He added that North Korea will only achieve the security and development it claims to seek by living up to its international obligations and commitments.
US On Denuclearizing North Korea
The United States remains committed to a denuclearized North Korea that respects the rights of its citizens.
In June 2009, the United Nations unanimously adopted resolution 1874, imposing stricter sanctions on the recalcitrant regime.
That resolution has 34 points, the first of which “Condemns in the strongest terms the nuclear test conducted by the DPRK on 25 May 2009 (local time) in violation and flagrant disregard of its relevant resolutions, in particular resolutions 1695 (2006) and 1718 (2006), and the statement of its President of 13 April 2009 (S/PRST/2009/7).”
Since the adoption of Resolution 1874, countries have intercepted and seized tons of contraband cargo, including a massive arms shipment uncovered by Thailand in December. These interdictions show that some countries are taking seriously their obligations to enforce these tough new measures. The United States will continue to press on sanctions implementation until there is concrete, verifiable progress on denuclearization.
Advancing human rights is a top U.S. priority in US North Korea policy as well and is among the primary factors that will determine if any long-term improvement between the United States and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) will be possible.
The Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2094, strongly condemning North Korea’s highly provocative February 12 nuclear test and imposing significant new sanctions under Chapter VII of the UN Charter.
The US says the strength, breadth, and severity of these sanctions will raise the cost to North Korea of its illicit nuclear program and further constrain its ability to finance and source materials and technology for its ballistic missile, conventional, and nuclear weapons programs.
